WASHINGTON – Police don’t know what triggered a would-be robber to stab a woman multiple times as she was walking to her Silver Spring home Monday night and they don’t believe it is connected to any other crimes.
Montgomery County police say they expect the 31-year-old woman to survive the attack, which caused serious injuries.
“We don’t know what the motive of the suspect was besides the robbery or why he decided to attack the victim physically,” says Montgomery County Police Lt. Sonia Pruitt.
The woman was stabbed about 7:46 p.m. as she was walking to her home along the long, uphill driveway for Forest Park Apartments off Piney Branch Road, west of New Hampshire Avenue. Police say her attacker asked for money and when she refused, he became violent.
During the struggle, the woman was forced to the ground, where she was stabbed repeatedly before the man ran away toward the apartment complex.
The suspect is described as Hispanic, of medium height, and was wearing a dark long-sleeved shirt. He wore a bandana on his lower face and spoke Spanish with a Guatemalan accent, according to police.
Police do not believe the stabbing is connected to any other crime. But, Pruitt wants everyone to practice, what police call, situational awareness.
“You can best keep safe by always being vigilant about your surroundings. Don’t be on your iPod. With your earphones in, you can’t hear what’s going on around you. Stay off the telephone until you get to your destination unless it’s really, really important,” Pruitt advises.
Pruitt also recommends practicing the buddy system by walking with a companion. “Especially as darkness approaches,” Pruitt says.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call police at 301-565-5835. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous can call 240-773-TIPS (8477).
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